Morgana jumped and spun around.

The path behind her was empty, save for the howling wind that whipped the field. She shivered and crossed her arms.

"Who's there?" Morgana peered into the rippling field, as another gust of wind lashed dirt into her face. She coughed. "Whoever you are this isn't funny!"

Only silence answered her and for a moment Morgana thought that she was hearing things. The wind was so loud that she could easily have mistaken it for a voice. She turned to leave.

"Morrggaannnnaaa."

She spun back around, heart racing. Her eyes went over the empty path and swaying field.

"Leave me alone!" She took a step back. Morgana racked her brain trying to figure out what kind of faery it could be. A banshee, perhaps? But they only haunted those who were on the verge of death, their awful wails signaled that a life was ending. But Morgana wasn't on the verge of death, at least she hoped she wasn't.

Maybe it was a fae that was an air user? Could it be Dain?

Her teeth clenched.

Eerie laughter echoed, as if a hundred hags surrounded her. Terror barreled down her spine. All that she could see was the empty field. How was she going to fight something that was invisible?

Morgana turned and ran.

"You can't outrun me." The horrible voice swirled around her like a specter.

The wind howled and buffeted Morgana, whipping her dress tight across her body. It was as if she were trying to run through a hurricane. She shielded her watering eyes and dirt swirled around her.

"Go away!"

"You know the kobold was treated unfairly. You know that the Golights are evil and that the Aeperians were on the right side of the war."

The wind surged as if powered by a storm. Morgana expected roiling dark clouds to be in the sky, but no, it was a clear blue.

She sprinted, and the castle got closer with each step.

Soon, she'll be in the castle grounds.

Soon, she'll be safe.

An ominous presence hounded her. Morgana glanced over her shoulder, there was nothing there, but she could feel it. There were plenty of faeries who could remain invisible whilst hunting prey. She leapt over a fallen log, thighs burning, sweat dripping down her face.

"Come find me," the voice faded, and the wind died.

The field became as still as an unrippled pond. As if nothing had happened. Morgana came to a stop, panting, hands on her knees. The path behind her was empty and she stared at it for a moment as doubt crept in. Had she really been chased by something? Or was the magic of Elysia finally making her lose her mind? She thought about what Damon had said about her body already absorbing a lot of Elysia's magic. Morgana shook her head. No. She'd had two doses of the elixir. There was no way she was losing her mind. There was no way she just imagined herself being chased by some phantom wind because if she had ... Then this was it, this was the beginning of the end. A strange panic seized her as she neared the castle gates.

I'm not losing my mind.

Flowers were splashed against a vibrant green lawn. She'd made it home. There was no reason to worry. Morgana walked through the gates and tried to calm herself.

I'm not losing my mind.

She strolled through two yellow rose bushes and didn't care that the thorns scratched her arms.

**

"I'm taking you out tonight." Damon burst through Morgana's bedroom door, a wide grin on his face. He'd changed out of his suit and into a white tunic and caramel pants.

Morgana rolled over on her bed and placed her book on the bedside table. She'd been trying to forget about the strange wind and voice.

"Where?" She hoped he wasn't going to take her out to the village, because the incident with the kobold was still fresh in her mind, even though hours had passed since then. The setting sun filtered through her curtains and bathed her room in an orange glow.

Damon rifled through her closet. "Aha!" He pulled out a floaty pomegranate colored dress. "This will be perfect." He threw it at Morgana's feet.

"Perfect for what?"

"The Giant-Oak Forest."

Morgana's brows lifted. "Wasn't that where the giants lived before the fae were created?"

"Yes. They were the ones who planted the forest." Damon sat on the edge of Morgana's bed. "But they went extinct after the Goddess created the fae and Elysia's magical environment became inhospitable for them."

"I've only ever seen pictures of the forest in textbooks, in one picture there was a fae who stood next to one of the trees and she looked like an ant next to it," Morgana said.

"Some of those trees are even bigger than this castle and I know you've never been there which is why I'm taking you out there tonight for your birthday."

"Really?" Morgana grinned. "Are we going on a walking tour or—"

Damon snorted. "Walking tour? For your birthday? Goddess, Morgana, I need to take you out more. No, there's an amazing city in The Giant-Oak Forest. It's full of restaurants, inns, taverns, and shops. And only fae are allowed in."

"Then how will I be able to get in?"

"Do you forget who I am?"

Morgana rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, there'll be no buggy sprites, or smelly gnomes, and pixies trying to pickpocket customers. It'll just be fae, how nice is that?"

Morgana's stomach knotted at the grin on Damon's face. She didn't want to be around a bunch of fae and she didn't like how Damon was excited to go to a place that excluded faeries.

"I'm taking you to The Oak Tavern. Flynn and Valerio will be there. We'll have dinner, drinks, and dancing. You'll have an amazing time."

Morgana forced a weak smile. She didn't want to let Damon down. "I guess I better put this on then." She held up the dress Damon had picked out for her, then went to her bathroom to change. After she was done, she spritzed herself with rose water then came out. "What do you think?"

"You should do something with your hair."

Morgana's eyes narrowed, then she ran over to her butterfly coated mirror. "My hair's fine." She smoothed some of her raven curls. There were a couple of flyaways but still.

Damon's nose scrunched. "At least put a diadem on or something."

Morgana sighed and snatched a ruby pin from her dresser and clipped her hair back. "Better?"

"Much." Then Damon dragged Morgana out of her room and into the hall. "I have a carriage waiting for us downstairs." He slung an arm over her shoulders, and a few servants carrying laundry bowed at them.

"Aren't you getting changed?" Morgana gave Damon's simple outfit the once over.

"No, this is what males wear in the forest. It's more casual."

"Then, how come I have to dress up?"

"Because there's a dress code for females. They have to wear formal dresses or gowns. They need to look pretty."

Morgana scowled. "That's incredibly unfair. Why is it always the females that have to dress up like dolls? This feels like the Spring Ball all over again."

"It won't be like the ball, you'll love it, trust me."

Soon, they were in front of a white carriage gilded with gold fixtures and drawn by two white horses.

"Greetings, Your Highness, M'lady." Nodded the driver, a small orange gnome wearing a black vest. Morgana's stomach twisted at the thought of a gnome taking them to a forest that excluded faeries. She felt that it was abominably rude. The inside of the carriage was as opulent as its exterior. On a small table was a bottle of chilled champagne in a bucket of ice. Morgana settled back into the golden plush cushions, as Damon poured her a glass.

"How long will it take to get there?" Morgana took a sip of her fizzy champagne that tasted of fresh grapes.

"About an hour."

"How come you've never taken me to The Giant-Oak Forest before?"

"You weren't old enough. Faelings aren't allowed in the forest either." There was a twinkle in Damon's eye.

Morgana put her glass down. "Why?"

"It might have something to do with the booze, mushroom smoking, and the types of shows one can find there."

"Oh Goddess, please don't tell me you're taking me to some sordid show for my birthday."

"Well, I don't know what you're into Morgana, but believe me there are many shows where there are beautiful fae that will cater to your needs."

Morgana suddenly thought of Prince Caliath and her cheeks warmed. "Well, I'm happy with just a meal and a drink. There's no need for a show."

Damon nodded, suppressing a smile.

"Thank you, for taking me out though."

"What are brothers for?" Damon grinned and lifted his glass.

Soon, they polished the bottle off and Morgana was lightheaded and tipsy. She didn't know how much time had passed as the carriage went by rolling fields and quaint villages. As they neared the forest, they laughed over the time Damon had taken Morgana kite flying in the Butterfly Fields where she'd smashed the kite into Earl Aldridge's head by accident.

"I'll never forget the look on his face," Damon chortled.

"He fell into one of the ponds."

"You should whip her for that." Damon put on a deep voice, mocking the earl.

Morgana wiped a tear from her eye. "I was only thirteen, but it was one of the best days I've ever had with you."

The carriage crested a hill, and the forest came into view. Morgana climbed over a laughing Damon to press her nose to the window. Even at this distance she could tell that the oak trees were as tall as mountains and had lush green leaves. As they got closer, Morgana saw many carriages lined up along a riverbank that had small boats waiting for passengers. All the boats were commanded by an Undine fae that stood at the riverbank. She had tanned skin and beautiful turquoise hair streaked with green. Her dress was made of pearls and tiny seashells, and she wore a necklace made of dried coral. A pale orange starfish clipped part of her hair back.

"It's beautiful," Morgana breathed, as their carriage pulled up to the bank.

They stepped out and the air was rich with the smell of oak, as groups of fae laughed and chatted. Thousands of lanterns were strung through the trees, gently lighting the forest floor. Rivers wove through the forest, carrying boats full of passengers to trees where fae dined under the glow of fireflies. The boats also went to shops filled with beautiful gowns made of silk, dewdrops, and shimmering cobwebs. One tree had glass windows where music thumped and where fae danced under a kaleidoscope of lights.

"How are you, Adriana?" asked Damon.

The Undine fae slipped into a curtsey. "I'm well, Your Highness." She smiled.

"One boat please for my sister and I. We'd like to go to The Oak Tavern."

Adriana's gaze flickered to Morgana, and her nose wrinkled as if she caught a whiff of garbage.

Morgana felt her insides shrivel like a prune. If she was going to have to put up with fae looking down on her for the rest of the night, she'd rather leave.

"Of course, Your Highness." Adriana summoned a small boat made of pale driftwood that was lit by a single lantern.

Morgana and Damon climbed into the gently rocking boat. As soon as they sat down it glided down the river. Morgana was silent and took in the forest's beauty. A flash of light caught her eye, it was the pale blue quartz that made up the riverbed.

"Some fae get so drunk that they fall into the river. Be careful, the quartz can be quite sharp," Damon said.

"I take it you're speaking from personal experience?"

"Maybe." Amusement danced in Damon's eyes.

The boat slowed down until it bobbed over to a wooden dock with a set of stairs. Morgana and Damon climbed out and the boat drifted down a bend.

"If you want to leave, all you have to do is place your hand in the water and draw a circle, this lets Adriana know that you need a boat," Damon said.

"How does she know where we need to go?"

"There's a small bowl of water at the front of the boat, all you have to do is whisper the destination you want into the bowl and the boat will take you there."

"Amazing."

"It is, isn't it?" Damon looped his arm through Morgana's arm.

"But did you see the way Adriana looked at me when you asked for a boat?"

Damon sighed. "You know what some fae are like."

"I know. But it's because I'm not supposed to be here. I'm human."

"Don't let it get to you."

Morgana's heart sank in disappointment. It wasn't like her feelings were something she could turn off. She had every right to be offended. It wasn't her choice to be human. It wasn't her choice to be treated this way.

They walked down the dock towards The Oak Tavern. Morgana's mouth dropped open and her thoughts about Adriana disappeared. The Oak Tavern was inside a humongous tree that was taller than Golah Castle. It was well lit with fireflies and torches. Crowds of fae were clustered inside and outside on pale wood furniture, some were even dining on the branches. A golden lantern adorned each table and the smell of beer, garlic, and butter wafted through the hewn windows. There was a kitchen at the base of the tree where fae chefs flipped meat in pans, stirred sauces in pots, and chopped vegetables. On the level above, a band played a lively tune over the din of laughter and voices. A staircase made from a gigantic vine curled around the trunk.

Damon and Morgana began climbing the staircase and she peered up into the branches. "How high does The Oak Tavern go?"

"All the way to the top." Damon grinned.

The tree was so tall it disappeared into fluffy clouds. After they'd climbed a few levels, Morgana wiped her damp forehead. When they reached the fifth level, they spotted Valerio and Flynn sitting at a table that was on a leaf. They were laughing over two tankards of beer. Flynn wore a black suit, and Valerio was still in his tunic and pants Morgana had seen him in earlier. She wondered if the tavern that Valerio had mentioned earlier was this one.

"Oi!" Flynn waved at them.

Valerio turned and lifted his beer in greeting.

"Happy birthday, Morgana." Flynn smiled warmly.

"Thanks." Morgana smiled awkwardly. Her gaze flickered to Valerio, wondering if he would mention their run-in at the village, or if he'd keep it secret as promised.

"It's nice to see you Morgana, happy birthday." Valerio nodded.

Her shoulders relaxed. "Nice to see you too."

"We got you a present." Flynn pulled out a box wrapped in paper.

Morgana unwrapped it and found that it was a box full of decadent chocolates. She smiled. "Thank you. Rosalind's have always been my favorite."

"Damon may have told us what you liked."

"I thought you'd probably prefer a book." Valerio shot Morgana a knowing look.

Morgana's lips twitched and the ice broke. "Well, you don't know what genres I'm into."

"I have a feeling it might be romance."

"Look at you two getting along." Damon gave them an amused grin.

"Well, this is the first time you've taken me out with your friends. You didn't want to hang out with me before," Morgana said.

"That's because you were underage. All we do is drink when we hang out. It's no place for a kid."

"Is that really all you do?"

"Pretty much." Flynn burped.

"You sad fae."

Valerio laughed.

"Here's to your birthday Morgana and to gracing us sad fae with your presence." Damon grabbed Flynn's beer and lifted it.